Flames’ Nazem Kadri brings Stanley Cup home for special celebration
Posted August 27, 2022 9:38 am.
Last Updated August 27, 2022 8:05 pm.
Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of London, Ont., on Saturday.
Kadri, 31, became the first Muslim player to win the Stanley Cup this past season when he was with the Colorado Avalanche.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this,” Kadri told CityNews on Friday.
“Anytime you’re the first to do something is a big deal, so I’m just very honoured and privileged that I got to be that person.”
Nazem Kadri brings the Stanley Cup to the London Muslim Mosque.
This is believed to be the first time in history that the Cup has entered a mosque. @HkyNightPunjabi @NHL @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/wRIZAm8hvv
— Amrit Gill (@AmritG) August 27, 2022
Mariam Abdulhamid and Charifie Kadri reppin’ their Lebanese heritage & watching their grandson, Nazem Kadri make history. #StanleyCup @HkyNightPunjabi @Sportsnet @NHL pic.twitter.com/74j9sjBHAA
— Amrit Gill (@AmritG) August 27, 2022
The Cup celebration began at the London Muslim Mosque before heading to Victoria Park. The route will also take them past the intersection where three generations of the Afzaal family were killed last June in what police said was a hate-motivated attack.
“In London, it’s very tight knit and anytime you get an opportunity to unite another family and do something of this magnitude to bring it to the mosque is a privilege for me,” said Kadri.
The London Muslim Mosque held a vigil for the community around this same time last year remembering the Afzaal family.
Aarij Anwer, director of religious affairs at the mosque called it the most traumatic experience the community could have gone through.
“We didn’t know how to process what had happened, the emotions were so overpowering. Today (Saturday) at the exact same venue, the same steps of the mosque, the same stage, the same street, is where Nazem lifted the Stanley Cup. It was a really beautiful moment. It was a scene of tragedy a year ago, and here again today, it was a scene of joy and happiness,” said Anwer.
Anwer adds, this historic moment was significant to people beyond the city of London.
“I think it means a lot for the young kids of all backgrounds, all ethnicities, all religions to see one of their own – someone who group in London, played his hockey in London, to now reach the pinnacle of the sport.”
“I noticed there were people who came from outside of the city. I know these families because they’re also hockey families. All these kids were just over the moon, so I think it’s not just for the city of London, but for southwest Ontario. This moment, I hope, will serve as inspiration for a whole host of kids who are inspiring to be the next generation of hockey players.”
Kadri, who is a former Toronto Maple Leafs forward, had a career year in assists (59) and points (87) in his third and final season with the Avalanche, while his 28 goals were the second-best total of his career.
He added seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 16 post-season games during Colorado’s title run.
Signing a seven-year, US$49 million deal with the Flames last week.
With files from Michael Williams
